(Hot sure that's relevant or not....)What I'm looking for is a resource - printed preferably, as i'm not a big fan of sitting through video tutorials - that I can use to get things set up.

Non-recourse is for large commercial projects and something the gurus talk about to get you to buy their crap.  

The crap repairs post earthquake plus the lack of restoration make it high risk.

Now you will worry What’s next on their list of crap they want you to come replace ? 

Still hard to find.I would warn you though, so many overpriced "deals" around here are sellers waiting on "california money"  (Out of market players who will accept ridiculously low returns, or no returns, or buy crap neighborhoods with no hope of appreciation).This 10 year run in us real estate is a by product of artificially low interest rates, so we are not sure if it is real!

Most business owners are owner/operators that often do not keep great books so it is a crap shoot somewhat.   

Dont get greedy.Get to REIA meetings and pass out cards I BUY HOUSES.Get a website like https://www.mikeotranto.com/our-company/Go to www.OnCarrot.comSee all posts from @Trevor MauchIf you want to do a lease option assignment on a $700K house that rents for $2500 (crap cash flow), read my posts. https://www.biggerpockets.com/posts/user/REISkillsIn NY get an attorney that does real estate for investors. 

Having a great apartment that covers a multitude of sins on other apartments is no more than a craps shoot.

We didn't have a final walk-through because he left town (he won't be moving across the street for a few weeks).In addition to leaving a big ugly mess (including rocks and turtle crap in the bathtub, which i mention only because it's original) and leaving behind huge furniture in this third-floor apartment, there are two much bigger deals:1) I believe he has sabotaged the plumbing.

.$20K is definitely on the low side so your options for fining a note in this price range will be limited, but it is not possible, there are some out there... just be sure to do your due diligence and make sure that the underlying property is not a piece of crap, be prepared to foreclose in a case of a default and become the owner of that property.